Eclipse of the Sun (novel)

Eclipse of the Sun

First edition
Author	Phil Whitaker
Cover artist	Christopher Corr
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Publisher	Phoenix Books
Publication date	11 Aug 1997
Media type	Print
Pages	264
ISBN

Eclipse of the Sun is the debut novel by English author Phil Whitaker. It won the 1997 John Llewellyn Rhys Prize a Betty Trask Award in 1998, and was shortlisted for the 1997 Whitbread First Novel Award.

Set in a small Indian town in 1995 where Rajesh Deshpande, an insecure, isolated science teacher is smitten by the new English tutor, but struggles to find a way to meet her. Then he learns about the forthcoming solar eclipse which appears to provide the ideal opportunity to impress her. Meanwhile, his faithful but superstitious wife Sumila determines to restore his love for her with the help of the Hindu gods and under the counsel her overbearing mother.